Gift Of The Strike (definition)
Gift Of The Strike (definition)
Some run to escape. Some run to survive. Evan Hale left pain behind the night lightning rewrote his DNA and gave him teleportation. Hunters chase Walkers like him—not for where they go, but for what they refuse to face. New York gives him something forbidden: Sara, a reason to stay. For the first time, his jump isn’t an escape—it’s a stand. #Unusualgift2025
Plot
* Evan Hale grows up poor and abused, developing an intense desire to escape his difficult circumstances
* During a thunderstorm, desperate to escape his home, Evan is struck by lightning, leaving a strange scar and awakening his dormant ability to teleport
* Evan discovers he can transport himself anywhere he can picture, seeing this gift as his ultimate means of escape
* He runs away, using his ability to steal small comforts and live freely, never staying long enough to be caught or hurt
* Years later, he's hunted by Marcus Vale, a relentless man who leads a group called the Hunters
* The Hunters believe people like Evan—called Walkers—are dangerous not because of what they do, but because they can leave consequences behind
* Evan and Kai become running partners, jumping from city to city, always staying one step ahead of the Hunters
* Despite their partnership, they follow one unbreakable rule: never stay in one place too long, never form attachments
* While hiding in New York, Evan rents a room at a hotel, where he meets Sara, a member of the hotel staff
* Against all his instincts and breaking their rule, Evan decides to stay in New York longer than planned
* As Evan and Sara's relationship deepens, the Hunters discover her connection to him
* The Hunters threaten Sara, believing that targeting loved ones is necessary to prevent Walkers from causing harm through their ability to escape consequences
* Evan learns the truth: the Hunters were formed after a Walker caused a disaster by escaping instead of stopping it
* The gift isn't evil—but unchecked escape is
* In the climax, Evan must choose: keep running and abandon Sara to protect himself, or stand his ground and fight the Hunters to protect her
* The story ends with Evan choosing to stay and fight, using his gift to protect Sara rather than to escape, finally finding a purpose greater than his own freedom
Style
The story is told through a third-person limited perspective, primarily focusing on Evan's journey, with occasional glimpses into other characters' thoughts. The language is contemporary and accessible, mirroring modern speech patterns. Dialogue is natural and often laced with slang, reflecting the casual nature of today's communication. Character-specific speech patterns are subtly incorporated—Kai speaks more recklessly and confidently, while Evan's dialogue often reveals his underlying anxieties even when he's trying to sound confident.
Internal monologue and background thoughts are frequently presented alongside spoken dialogue, creating a layered reading experience that reveals what characters are truly thinking versus what they say aloud. This technique is particularly effective during tense scenes or emotional moments, allowing readers to understand the gap between appearance and reality.
The narrative balances action with introspection, using modern pacing to keep the story moving while still allowing space for character development and thematic exploration. The style is approachable and engaging, making complex emotional states and supernatural elements feel accessible to readers.
Setting
The story unfolds in a contemporary, urban environment, specifically New York City. The physical environment ranges from gritty streets to modern apartments, reflecting a world of contrasts. Socially, the story hints at a hidden subculture of individuals with extraordinary abilities, living alongside ordinary people. A sense of paranoia and constant pursuit permeates the atmosphere, driven by an organization dedicated to tracking down and eliminating those with these abilities. This creates a tense backdrop for the characters' interactions and the exploration of themes related to freedom, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions.
Characters
Evan Hale
A young man marked by a poor upbringing and an abusive home, Evan runs away from his difficult childhood. After being struck by lightning, he discovers he can teleport. To him, this gift represents escape - pure freedom from the pain of his past. His ability allows him to flee any situation, which has become his default response to problems.
Evan's greatest flaw is his inability to commit or stay in one place. He never finishes anything and has a pattern of leaving relationships, jobs, and situations unfinished. His journey is about learning that constant escape ultimately fragments his life, preventing him from finding the meaningful connections he truly desires.
His teleportation manifests as a lightning-like burst, leaving him momentarily disoriented at his new location. Each jump feels like being struck by lightning again, a sensation that both terrifies and exhilarates him.
Warden
Marcus Vale is the enigmatic leader of an ancient group dedicated to hunting Walkers—individuals with teleportation abilities. Unlike typical villains, he doesn't harbor hatred for Walkers; instead, he harbors a deep conviction that their gift is actually a curse that destabilizes the natural order. He believes that by allowing Walkers to escape consequences, they undermine the fabric of society and responsibility.
Marcus's motivation stems from a personal tragedy: he once loved someone with the gift of teleportation who abandoned everything—relationships, obligations, even him—by constantly using their ability to escape. This experience shaped his conviction that while Walkers may not be evil, they must be contained for the greater good of humanity.
He commands his organization with both intellectual precision and charismatic authority. He doesn't see himself as the villain of the story, but rather as the necessary force maintaining balance in a world where some would abuse the ultimate power of escape. His organization has developed sophisticated methods to track and neutralize Walkers, though their true purpose and extent of their activities remain mysterious.
Kai Mercer
Kai Mercer is everything Evan fears becoming—a reckless, thrill-seeking Walker who uses his teleportation ability purely for personal gratification. Older than Evan and more experienced with their shared gift, Kai embodies the dangerous philosophy that their ability exists solely for their own benefit.
With no attachments or guilt about his actions, Kai jumps for fun, money, and sheer adrenaline. He lives completely in the moment, never staying anywhere too long and leaving consequences for others to handle. For Kai, the gift is an entitlement rather than a chance, escape rather than responsibility.
His relationship with Evan serves as both mentorship and warning. Kai teaches Evan the practical aspects of teleporting but also encourages his worst tendencies—discarding relationships, avoiding responsibilities, and treating the world as his personal playground.
Kai's actions ultimately lead to tragedy—a civilian death or major incident that the Hunters use to justify their hunt. His capture or death at the hands of the Hunters isn't portrayed as cruelty but as the inevitable consequence of his lifestyle.
Through Kai's character, Evan must confront the truth that their gift doesn't make them special; it makes them tempted. In the climax, Evan's rejection of Kai's philosophy becomes as important as his confrontation with the Hunters, showing that the same gift can be used for different purposes depending on the character of the person wielding it.
Sara Collins
Sara Collins is a talented artist with a quiet strength and unwavering sense of purpose. She works in a small gallery in Brooklyn, creating paintings that capture the hidden energy of New York City. Unlike the temporary people in Evan's life, Sara has deep roots—she grew up in the city and maintains close connections with her community.
When Evan and Sara meet, the connection is immediate but complicated by his inability to stay in one place. Sara sees through Evan's carefully constructed walls, recognizing the pain behind his restless eyes. Where others see only his charm, she senses his fear of commitment and his constant need to escape.
Sara represents everything Evan has avoided—stability, emotional vulnerability, and genuine connection. Her presence in his life creates the first real conflict between his desire for freedom and his growing feelings. As their relationship deepens, she becomes the one thing worth staying for, testing Evan's lifetime of running away.
The Hunters' discovery of Sara transforms her from simply Evan's love interest into his greatest responsibility. Her vulnerability becomes the catalyst for Evan's ultimate choice between flight and fight. Through Sara, Evan discovers that his gift can be used not just for escape, but for protection and connection.
Locations
New York City
New York City, a sprawling metropolis known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, serves as the primary backdrop. It is a place of both opportunity and hardship, where anonymity is possible amidst the crowds. The city's diverse neighborhoods and vibrant atmosphere provide a constant hum of activity, a stark contrast to the isolated existence of those hunted by the Anchors.
Central Park
A vast green oasis in the middle of concrete chaos, Central Park becomes the site of Evan's first controlled teleport